Should I worry about grizzlies?

[elkocd]

Agreed. I have carried an extra mag in the backpack which does me little good if I’m empty and still needing rounds quickly. I carry in Kydex holster on my Exp pack but no good way to carry the extra magazine.

Really don't understand carrying the extra mag. You're not going to shoot a grizz under 25 yards. At that point you have about 2 seconds to shoot. Pretty sure 15 rounds in a G20 is way more than you're gonna get off.

 

[Huntinmechanic]

Really don't understand carrying the extra mag. You're not going to shoot a grizz under 25 yards. At that point you have about 2 seconds to shoot. Pretty sure 15 rounds in a G20 is way more than you're gonna get off.

I agree with that. Getting 3-4 rounds off accurately, will be a challenge.

On another note, I put 200 rounds of Buffalo Bore 220 grain hardcast and 100 rounds of Underwood 220 grain hardcast through the G20 last weekend. Zero malfunctions, but damn did it take a lot to clean the barrel! At 25 yards, both ammunitions were hitting 4-6" high compared to standard CCI 180 grain FMJ.

 

[elkocd]

I agree with that. Getting 3-4 rounds off accurately, will be a challenge.

On another note, I put 200 rounds of Buffalo Bore 220 grain hardcast and 100 rounds of Underwood 220 grain hardcast through the G20 last weekend. Zero malfunctions, but damn did it take a lot to clean the barrel! At 25 yards, both ammunitions were hitting 4-6" high compared to standard CCI 180 grain FMJ.

I have a G20 and a Sig P320. I actually did have some jams with the G20 and the Buffalo Bore at first, but have been told that they shoot better after that gun is broken in. I have no idea, but it shoots those good now after a few hundred rounds. The G20 is now my sons and I carry the P320 which we both shoot a little more accurate.

 

[mt terry d]

"Should I worry about grizzlies?"​

No. They can take care of themselves.

 

[RonD]

Really don't understand carrying the extra mag. You're not going to shoot a grizz under 25 yards. At that point you have about 2 seconds to shoot. Pretty sure 15 rounds in a G20 is way more than you're gonna get off.

Totally agree. I got into the bad habit of throwing in an extra mag over the years and have since stopped.

 

[MallardSX2]

“We’re gonna kill the mf’er…”

 

[BCDJR]

I watched the recap story on the poor guide that was killed in Wyoming. What do pistol experts think happened that his client could not get the G20 to work? I like the extra rounds but in this case would revolver been better?

 

[Turkeytider]

Well, I now have the financial means to do it, but have never wanted to shoot anything that shares territory with something else that would consider me a hot lunch! All kidding aside, how does one relax and enjoy what is unquestionably beautiful country knowing that they’re there, for sure?
Then again, maybe one can indeed be “ best buds “ with 600 lbs of teeth and claws ( ?). Just ask Timothy Treadwell……Oh….wait.

 

[mt terry d]

All kidding aside, how does one relax and enjoy what is unquestionably beautiful country knowing that they’re there, for sure?

By being smart and aware and not falling for all the hype.
They aren't out there stalking you....except some times when you're calling. Like I said, be aware.
And just accept the fact that you could have a deadly encounter; but the odds are you'll
have more deadly encounters on your drive to and from Griz country.
And if you do have a sighting or an encounter of any kind you'll know you've experienced
something that only a few privileged people on earth ever have.

 

[Turkeytider]

By being smart and aware and not falling for all the hype.
They aren't out there stalking you....except some times when you're calling. Like I said, be aware.
And just accept the fact that you could have a deadly encounter; but the odds are you'll
have more deadly encounters on your drive to and from Griz country.
And if you do have a sighting or an encounter of any kind you'll know you've experienced
something that only a few privileged people on earth ever have.

Hope to see Browns next year as a part of an inside passage cruise. That’ll be plenty close enough.

 

[Huntinmechanic]

I'm going to enjoy the heck out of this hunt knowing there are grizzlies in the area. Makes me think of old Jeremiah Johnson. That's a tough SOB!

MT Terry is spot on, be aware and be prepared. I've gotten really quick with drawing and firing from my chest rig. Not a pro or the fastest, but I've become quite proficient and therefore, very confident with it. A shot timer is a great tool for preparing. I think I've mentioned before that I am not overly concerned about bears while actually hunting. I just want to prevent the headache of a bear in camp. We've got a solid game plan worked out for our tents and the food storage situation.

 

[Seeknelk]

Yeah be concerned about em. And smart. But don't be in full paranoia. Honestly the drive to and from has wayyyyy more risk. Just spent 3 nights in very heavy grizz country. Sad part is we saw faaaaar more predators than ungulates. (Mainly looking for mulies)
6 grizz last evening there and had to go bed down 1000 yards from the biggest old boar.
No food, zyn, toothpaste, used game bags or packs with old blood around camp. Just my gnarly socks in the breeze. (Maybe that's a bad idea, smell like a dead things!?)
Stack deadfall around camp to discourage casual inspection sniffs at least without making noise coming thru it.

 

[BCDJR]

My last WY sheep hunt we saw a big boar. Fortunately he was across a river from our camp. That kept us on high alert

 

[Turkeytider]

Yeah be concerned about em. And smart. But don't be in full paranoia. Honestly the drive to and from has wayyyyy more risk. Just spent 3 nights in very heavy grizz country. Sad part is we saw faaaaar more predators than ungulates. (Mainly looking for mulies)
6 grizz last evening there and had to go bed down 1000 yards from the biggest old boar.
No food, zyn, toothpaste, used game bags or packs with old blood around camp. Just my gnarly socks in the breeze. (Maybe that's a bad idea, smell like a dead things!?)
Stack deadfall around camp to discourage casual inspection sniffs at least without making noise coming thru it.

Couple of serious questions. When hunting in big bear country, particularly with a relatively high number of them in the area, do you usually hunt alone or with someone else? If a partner or two, do you take turns with a night watch ? Can only speak for myself, but I know I’d have a hard time relaxing and getting much rest if I was by myself. A 600 lb furry tent mate looking for a night time snack at 3:00 AM is not my idea of a good time!

 

[mt terry d]

I usually hunted alone but most of those times I had a horse so
he'd warn me if something was around

The worst night I had was solo backpacking, blue tarp no tent.
I spotted 3 bulls in the valley below me about 800 yards away just before dark

Figured I'd just clear a little sleeping spot and wrap up in the tarp ( in my sleeping bag)

Unrolled the tarp and discovered I'd forgotten to wash the blood off it
from a previous antelope hunt. And boy it stunk. DOH!!

Put the tarp about 50 yards away. Didn't sleep much that night. It snowed a little
and there were no tracks around in the morning.


I wonder if a guy strung some fishing line about a foot high around camp with a couple
bells on would give a little peace of mind?

 

[mt terry d]

Really don't understand carrying the extra mag. You're not going to shoot a grizz under 25 yards. At that point you have about 2 seconds to shoot. Pretty sure 15 rounds in a G20 is way more than you're gonna get off.

I agree about the extra mag but don't think i'd shoot a griz over 25 yards away.
Lots of bluff charges get closer than that. If I were to carry a pistol I'd expect it to be used
as a last resort like one or two before actually getting mauled
I wouldn't be shy about firing several rounds near one that was very close to camp
or looking to become a nuisance. It wouldn't scare all the elk or deer into the next
county.

 

[Seeknelk]

Couple of serious questions. When hunting in big bear country, particularly with a relatively high number of them in the area, do you usually hunt alone or with someone else? If a partner or two, do you take turns with a night watch ? Can only speak for myself, but I know I’d have a hard time relaxing and getting much rest if I was by myself. A 600 lb furry tent mate looking for a night time snack at 3:00 AM is not my idea of a good time!

I can't get the nerve to backpack in and sleep solo in some of that country. There would be little point, I'd not sleep. I've thought of the night watch but that usually the buddy who has bearanoia just by default

I have slept back in places that have lower density of grizz but they still exist there. But I really try to hunt with someone at least for the camping, meat packing.

The more deadfall n brush I stack around my bed, the better I sleep for sure. Just for the early warning system, discouraging any curiosity sniffs.

 

[grfox92]

Yes, with the right ammunition.

A 9mm does the same job.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[grfox92]

Couple of serious questions. When hunting in big bear country, particularly with a relatively high number of them in the area, do you usually hunt alone or with someone else? If a partner or two, do you take turns with a night watch ? Can only speak for myself, but I know I’d have a hard time relaxing and getting much rest if I was by myself. A 600 lb furry tent mate looking for a night time snack at 3:00 AM is not my idea of a good time!

Night watch? Nah man, you just go to sleep. We dont even sleep in a tent a lot of the time.

Hunting alone is just not a good idea in areas as wild as where the OP is talking about.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[Scorpion]

I have yet to hunt NW Wyoming in the fall and not have a grizzly encounter.

Just be smart - keep a clean camp, be careful when in areas of thick brush or near water, keep your bear spray and/or sidearm on you at all times.